Blog #91 Blah, Blah, Blog.

WTF? No, I’m not starting this week’s blog with a rant. Rather, as I’m approaching my 100th [triple-digit] post, I’m reflecting on the function or purpose my photography blog. Maybe you’re writing one or thinking about writing a blog yourself. Perhaps reading mine will tilt you in one direction or another. Thank you, by the way, for following me on my creative journey.

A blog is a term that comes from weblog that is basically an informal online [web] discussion about a topic or topics.

What’s The Function of a blog? WTF? There are about five functions that I can identify and will share with you below.

1. DOCUMENT

As I develop my creative self and photography I find it beneficial to write down and share my experiences. The activity of blogging is akin to putting down professional or creative “breadcrumbs”. Reading old blogs, I can see from whence I came and that gives me a sense of accomplishment along my creative journey.

2. ORGANIZE

Blogging can be instrumental in organising my activities, goals, and general approach to photography. The practice of writing for an audience albeit small and reserved, forces me to develop a plan, push forward, and define my focus as a photographer.

3. REFLECTION

Writing for an audience and recording my trials and tribulations inherent in the creative process allows for constant reflection. Reflection can benefit the creative process through avoidance of repetition. We must constantly re-invent ourselves to stay “current”. All artists must struggle with this in their own way.

4. SHARE

I share experiences to inform and inspire. At the risk of sounding cliché, I do get inspired by other photography blogs and therefore I write and share in the hopes that my experiences and words will have a similar influential affect on others. It’s a process of give and take for me, ultimately.

5. BRANDING

Full disclosure, blogging is a way to stay current, keep in the public “conversation” or conscience and to provide a safe and stable platform to share my images on my own terms. Although my professional work is limited to events, portraits, and food I share other types of images here such as travel, street/social documentary, personal projects, and series. I can present a small series of 5-20 images that otherwise might not work elsewhere.

So, there it is! Go Blah, Blah, Blog yourself. Even if you don’t share your blog, you can view the process as a diary of sorts that can be used to avail of most of the five points above. If you do decide to blog, blog often like at least weekly. You’ll be glad that you did.

The light is always right.

jhg

*Images below were made on the beach in the Philippines in December of 2017 with a Nikon FM2, 35mm f/2 lens, a roll of Kodak Trix 400, hand developed at home with Bergger Berspeed and scanned using an Epson Perfection V600 Photo scanner at 2400dpi*